CAF’s 14th EGA: Amaju Pinnick favoured to retain FIFA Council seat

By Dayo Awoniyi

Amaju Melvin Pinnick, President of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF), is poised to retain his position on the FIFA Council as elections take place at the 14th Extraordinary General Assembly (EGA) of the Confederation of African Football (CAF) in Cairo, Egypt on Wednesday.

Pinnick, a seasoned football administrator, is in a competitive race with Moroccan Fouzi Lekjaa and Egyptian Hany Abou Rida for one of the five available seats on the FIFA Council. A total of 10 candidates are vying for these positions.

Africa holds seven seats on the FIFA Council, with CAF President Patrice Motsepe’s position guaranteed. Additionally, one seat is reserved for a female candidate, with CAF’s 5th Vice President Kanizat Ibrahim of the Comoros Islands challenging incumbent Isha Johansen from Sierra Leone for the spot.

Other prominent candidates in the running include Ivorian Yacine Idriss Diallo, Senegal’s Augustin Senghor, and Zambia’s Andrew Kamanga.

The Nigerian Football Federation President, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa Gusau, will cast Nigeria’s vote during the election, with the Nigerian government officially endorsing Pinnick’s candidacy, further strengthening his chances of retaining his seat.

In the CAF Executive Committee elections, several members are set to be elected unchallenged, including Samuel Eto’o (UNIFFAC), Sadhi Walid (UNAF), Mustapha Ishola Raji (WAFU A), Kurt Edwin-Simeon Okraku (WAFU B), and others from COSAFA.

For the Female Seat in the CAF Executive Committee, Bestine Kazadi of DR Congo is the sole candidate.